The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-02
JOHN RIoHABp BUoHTEL.

we present herewith, nd whose splendid
generosity to BUCHT<L COLLEGE, we
record in other columns this week, was
born June IS, 1922, in $ammit county, o.
We condense from th4 Ohio Cyclop@dia
of Biography some IA the facts in his
earlier career His f1ther, farmer, is
still living in the nei1hborhood of Ak
ron, at an advanced aGe., Mr.. Buchtel's
grandfather, Peter B0chtel, was a ma
tive of Pennsylvania, thence he moved
to Ohio in 1909, entex>hg the service as
soldier in the war'd 1912, and dying
in the army. Mr.. BuEhtel worked as a
farm-laborer in his yoeath, and with no
chance for education, Except such as he
acquired by himself; 1t is fact that
when he attained the lge Of twenty one
he wrote his name win difficulty. But
this early deprivationof education en-
abled him in after years to appreciate
its advantages, and had adsplendid results.
When about twenty-five years Of age,
Mr.. Buchtel began % work land on
shares, continuing f0f several years,
until at length he beca1me able to buy a
small farm for himself, on which he
lived two years. Diappsing of this, his
first property, he bought farm of 100
acres in Coventry township, Summit
county, which he improved and intended
to make his permanent home. About
1854, however, he modified his plans,
and his business sagacity discovered
openings in other directions. He en-
tered into the employ If Ball, Aultman
& Co., then beginningfo make and in
troduce very extensively the Ohio, and
afterward the Buckeye Mower and
Reaper, continuing as their agent
until the spring of 1856. The firm was
burnt out soon aftersand made an as
signment to Mr.. Bucftel for the benefit
of the creditors. An extension was
obtained, the business reorganized, and
he gave them such aid that the firm of
G. Aultman & Co., was soon on firm
foundation.
In 1884 Mr.. Buchtal's efforts to per-
suade the Canton owners of the Buck
eye machines to build d manufactory at
Akron finally succeeded; and he pro-
ceeded with the cone@uction of the
buildings then needle experimenting
the same, and pnrcl led sixth
interest Ia the estab3i5 |ae1t. Thenext
year the business was organized as
Stock Company, and Mr.. Buchtel was
elected President. This Company is
now one of the largest and most sue
cessful in the United States. Its cap
ital some years ago, was rated as 81 ,0OO,-
900, with $42O,O0O surplus. From this
time forward, John r. Buchtel was
largely identified with the business and
prosperity Of Akron. The important
industries of the city,-the Akron Iron
Company and Knife Works, the Rub
Der Works, the Paper Mill, the Chain
Works, owe very much to Mr.. Buchtel
for their location in Akron, and grew
naturally out of the great Buckeye es-
tablishment.
Mr.. Buchtel was still connected with
the Buckeye mower and reaper bus
mess, when seventeen or eighteen years
ago, he became interested in the pro-
ject to locate College in Akron, under
the auspices Of the Universalist de-
nomination of Ohio. He had amassed
large fortune, and was known to pri-
vately cherish wide-reaching, philan-
thropic ambitions. He was oppor-
tunely interested in the College project
by the late Rev. George Messenger, who
had some business relations with the
Buckeye establishment. When the prop
osition was made to locate the College
in Akron, Mr.. Buchtel pledged assist
ance, and by his influence interested
Akron in the movement. The enter
prise developed rapidly, and soon the
proposed institution bore his name. In
1870, the centennial of American Uni
versalism, the cornerstone was laid,
Horace Greeley delivering the address
on the occasion. From this time on,
the name, influence and fortune of Mr..
Buchtel was at the disposal of the Col
lege. His subscriptions, gifts and en-
dowments, previous to this last mag
nificent conveyance, amount in round
numbers to $250,000. This is now in
creased $174, 500, making the total, as
nearly as can be ascertained at the pres
ent writing, $424. 800. Mr.. Buch-
tel has given in. so many different direc-
tions to the College, and under SO many
circumstances, that it would take an
expert accountant to analyze his bene-
factions. We believe that the above
figures are under, rather than over the
exact amount.
Mr.. Buchtel has always been one of
the most liberal of Akron's citizens.
He has contributed largely to every pub
lie enterprise. The churches of the
city, the Library Association, and all
charitable and benevolent institutions,
have all been recipients of his generos-
ity. He contributed very largely toward
4.